Closure for vessels



March V3l, 1964 B G, COX

CLOSURE FOR VESSELS 4 Sheets-Sheet 1 Original Filed Dec. 14, 1959 l. l l l n n n l l.

l I n mN nu INVENTOR. BRADLEY G. COX

ATTOR NEYS March 3l, 1964 B. G. COX

cLosuRE FOR vEssELs 4 Sheets-Sheet 2 Original Filed Deo. 14, 1959 FIG. 2

INVENTOR- BRADLEY G. COX

ATTORNEYS March 31, 1964 B. G. Cox 3,127,051

CLOSURE FOR VESSELS Original Filed Dec. 14, 1959 4 Sheets-Sheet 3 INVENTOR. BRADLEY G. COX

mi wha/#M FIG 3 ATTORNEYS March 31, 1964 B. G. cox 3,127,051

CLOSURE FOR VESSELS Original Filed Dec. 14, 1959 4 Sheets-Sheet 4 INVENTOR. BRADLEY G. COX

BY ZM wf/f du f ATTORNEYS United States Patent 3,127,051 CLOSURE FOR VESSELS Bradley G. Cox, Saginaw, Mich., assignor to Baker Perkins Inc., Saginaw, Mich.

Original application Dec. 14, 1959, Ser. No. 859,432, now Patent No. 3,092,285, dated June 4, 1963. Divided and this application Dec. 10, 1962, Ser. No. 243,334

Claims. (Cl. 220-55) This invention relates to closures and more particularly to closures or doors for centrifugal machines Iand other vessels which are internally pressurized. The application is a 'divisional application directed to subject matter disclosed and claimed in application, Serial No. 859,432, filed December 14, 1959, now Patent No. 3,092,285.

Since the door or closure for the centrifugal chamber of Ia batch type centrifuge of the type used for segregating liquids and solids normally carries a peeler knife and chute assembly of considerable size, and it is desirable to move this assembly out of the centrifugal drum when the door is opened, it has been found expedient to lhingedly mounted the door and, to permit the knife box and chute assembly to clear the chamber, to hingedly mount the door ata point which is somewhat removed from and inset relative to mating surfaces on the door and drum.

It is an important object of the present invention to provide a door of this general character which can be readily opened and closed and which, when closed, provides an adequate seal to prevent the escape of the fluid or gases under high pressure or vacuum which are within the centrifugal chamber.

It is a further object of the invention to designa door or cover which need not be bolted in sealing relation and, rather, can be lock-ed by other means which can be simply and readily manipulated to permit a relatively rapid opening and closing of the door.

Another object of the invention is to provide a swing door of the character described, for high pressure vessels, which provides the necessary clearances for the swinging surfaces `and yet functions to achieve `a close mating of sealing surfaces so that an effective seal which will withstand high pressure-s is provided.

Another object of the invention is to provide intermeshing members on the drum and door which extend normally to the axis of the hinge connection so that the matter of swinging clearances and bending of a shear bar or shear bars is nota problem, and the bore of the housing Iand the door tend to be located in precise alignment.

Other objects of the invention are to provide a door or closure construction having readily accessible elements which are of simple and relatively inexpensive construction and will stand up under conditions of severe and constant use without requiring undue replacement or repair.

Still other objects and `advantages of the invention |will be pointed out specifically or will become apparent `from the following description 'when it is considered in conjunction with the appended claims and the accompanying drawings, in which:

FiGURE 1 is a front elevational view of the centrifuge with the door in closed position and shown partly in section, to illustrate interlocking members on the door and drum;

FIGURE 2 is a partly sectional, top plan view taken on the line 2 2 of FIGURE 1;

FIGURE 3 is a fragmentary, side elevational view showing the door in closed position and indicating the manner in which one of the locking sectors is reecived by the chamber wall and door;

FIGURE 4 is a fragmentary, side elevational View of the open end of the drum only, illustrating the construction of the locking lug members thereon;

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FIGURE 5 is a fragmentary, end elevational View thereof;

FIGURE 6 is a fragmentary, side elevational view of the one end of the `door only, showing the projecting lug members thereon;

FIGURE 7 is a fragmentary, end elevational view thereof;

lFIGURE 8 is an enlarged, fragmentary, sectional, side elevational view 'with the door locked in sealed position, illustrating particularly the sealing surfaces on the drum housing `and door;

FIGURE 9 is an enlarged, fragmentary, front elevational view illust-rating particularly the construction of cam mechanism for moving one of the shear ring sectors to locking position and showing the sector in locked position;

FIGURE 10 is ia similar view vvith the shear ring sector moved outwardly to permit the door to be opened;

FIGURE 11 is a sectional, inverse plan view taken on the line 11-11 of FIGURE 10;

FIGURE l2 is a sectional, side elevational view taken on the line 12-12 of FIIGURE fll; and

FIGURE 13 is a fragmentary, front elevational view of one of the shear ring segments, showing the cam and support plate thereon.

Referring now more particularly to the accompanying drawings in which I have shown a preferred embodiment of the invention, the centrifuge housing or drum H is provided with the fusual bearing 10 for supporting the drive shaft 11, as shown in FIGURE 2. The perforate, separating basket 12, which is fixed on the end of shaft 11, employs the usual expressing ports 13 which permit the liquids to be expressed by centrifugal force from the interior of basket 12 to the housing H and drain 114, \while the solids collect on the interior peripheral -wall of the basket. Mounted on the opposite end of shaft 11 is a pulley (notV shown) as in Davis et al. Patent No. 2,65 8,620, hereby incorporated by reference, which shows a similar centrifugal construction.

In the interests of clarity, the knife box and discharge chute -assembly for removing the segregated solids, 'which is supported by the dished door D, are not shown except at C in FIGURES 1 and 2. However, it is to be understood that when the door D swings outwardly about its hinge point 15, the knife box and discharge chute assembly, which are of the same type as shown in the aforementioned Davis et al. patent, move out of the basket 12 and housing H to permit free access to the interior there-` of. Provided Von the housing H are hinge pin supports 16 and it will be seen -th-at hinge members 17, having openinterior of the housing H at pressures which may be as much as p.s.i. When it is desired to depressurize the drum or housing H, the valve V in line 19a which also communicates with the interior of the housing H is simply opened. The pressure within housing H is utilized to achieve the desired sealed relation between the door D and housing H when the door is in closed position, in a manner which will presently be described.

It will be seen that the housing H hasan annular,

peripheral front ange 20 and the dished door D has a similar flange 21 of the same diameter. As shown in FIGURES 4 and 5, the drum housing flange 20 is provided with horizontally extending grooves 22 perpendicular to the Vertical axis of hinge pin 15, which delines lugs or ngers 23 projecting axially of the drum housing H. The topmost and lowermost grooves 22 are interrupted to provide topmost and lowermost lugs 23 as shown centered on the vertical axis with the one surface of each of these lugs being relieved on the same side as at 23a.

Similarly provided in the flange 21 of door D are horizontally extending grooves 24 alternately arranged with respect to the grooves 22 and sized to receive the axially projecting lugs or lingers 23 in the manner shown in FIGURE 3. The grooves 24 defines lugs or fingers 25 projecting axially of the drum housing H when the door is in closed position, and these are sized to be received in the grooves 22 of flange 20. The topmost and lowermost grooves 24 are similarly interrupted by lug members 25 and these lug members are relieved on the same side as at 25a. Because the projections 23 and 25 extend horizontally, the fact that the arc of swing of projections 25 farthest from hinge pin 15 is quite different from the arc of swing of the projections 25 nearest the hinge pin does not require undue door operating clearances, as would be required if the lugs 23 and 25 were radially or vertically extending. Provided in the projecting locking lugs 23 and 25 are grooves 26 and 27, respectively, extending generally normally to the lugs and situated in a common vertical plane normal to the horizontal axis of the drum housing H when the door is in closed position and the lugs 23 and 25 are in interlocked relationship to provide a continuous groove which can receive shear ring sector members 28. The manner in which the shear ring sectors 28 are moved radially into the continuous groove formed by grooves 26 and 27 from a position outward thereof to lock the door D in closed position will be later described in detail.

In the instant case, the effectiveness of the seal does not depend on the fit of the locking lugs 23 and 25 in the grooves 24 and 22, respectively, and it is to be understood that these members are provided with adequate operating clearances, as are the grooves 26 and 27. The seal achieved is, rather, a function of other surfaces, which will now be described.

Mounted on the flange of the housing H are inwardly extending plates 28a having threaded openings 29 (see FIGURE 8) for receiving the threaded ends of stud members 30. The stud members 30 mount an annular housing seal ring 31 having a flange surface 32 with openings 33 aligned with the openings 29 and providing a sliding clearance for the seal ring 31 so that it is shiftable axially of the housing H. `Provided on the forwardly projecting and outward portion of the ring 31 is an axially tapering, annular surface 34 which mates with an identically tapered, annular and inner surface 35 on the door flange 21. Grooves 36and 37 on the seal ring 31 accommodate annular, rubber, O-ring seals 38 and 39, as shown, which respectively seal the interlocking lugs 23 and 25 from both sides. It is important to observe that the width or depth a of the inner radial surface 31a of the seal ring 31 is considerably greater than the Width b of the outer radial surface 32b of the seal ring 31. Since the interiors of the housing H and door D are pressurized, the pressure against the surface 31a, which is of greater area, will hold the surfaces 34 and 35 in tightly sealed relation and the pressure is in this way effectively utilized with surfaces of different area to provide an adequate and effective seal. The seal ring 31 can move axially of the housing H and also tilt very, very slightly, so that undue care does not have to be exercised in the machining of the grooves 22 and 24 and the seal ring 31 adjusts to permit the surfaces 34 and 35 to achieve tightly sealed facial engagement over the length and width of surface 34.

Mounted on the door housing flange 21, which is shouldered as at 40 (see FIGURE 1l), are cam support blocks 41 secured to the flange 21 by bolts 42. Four such blocks 41 are shown in FIGURE 1, since four locking sectors or shear bars 2S, slightly spaced one from the other as at 43, are employed. However, it is to be understood that more or less locking sectors 28 could be provided as desired. Each sector 28 has a radially, outwardly projecting plate 44 thereon provided with a radial slot 45 and projecting inner and outer wall portions 44a and 44h, which receive a cylindrical cam 46 between them, as shown. Each plate 44 is received for sliding movement in a groove 47 provided in the block 41 (see FIG- URE 12) and each cam 46 is eccentrically mounted at one side on a shaft 48 which extends through the slot 45 in the sector plate member 44 and a bore 49 provided for the block 41.

A handle H' comprising a sleeve 50 pinned to the shaft 48 as at 51, and provided with oppositely extending handle arms 52 fixed in openings 53 provided in the hub 5) is conveniently provided for each rotating shaft 48. Accordingly, cam 46 can be readily moved about the axis of shaft 48 to force a locking ring sector 23 from the outward position in which it is shown in FIGURE ll to an interlocked position in the continuous groove formed by grooves 26 and 27, as shown in FIGURE 9. Since there are no side walls for the plates 44 corresponding to the walls 44a and 44h, the cams 46 are free to revolve about the axes of their shafts 48 and the locking ring sectors 28 are moved smoothly in a radial path into the notches 26 and 27. Because of the seal effected at surfaces 34, 35, operating clearances can be provided for the locking ring sectors 28 and no attempt is made to wedge the sectors 28 into position or to clamp the locking lugs 23 and 25 in locked relation. The sectors 28 serve simply as shear bars to maintain the door in closed position.

The operation of centrfuges of this type is well understood and will not be described herein. When the centrifuging operation has been completed and the liquids have been expressed through ports 13 and outlet 14 while the solids are discharged by a peeling or scraper knife (not shown) out chute C to a suitable solids collection housing, the door D must be opened to charge the drum housing H once again. Once the housing H is depressurized by opening the valve V, the four locking handles H are simply turned from the position in which they are shown in FIGURE 1 and cams 46 operate to force the walls 44h outwardly, causing the locking sectors 28 to be smoothly withdrawn radially from the grooves 26 and 27.

When the drum housing H is once again charged, the door D is swung closed about its hinge pin 15 to bring the locking lugs 23 and 25 into intermeshing relation and align the peripheral grooves 26 and 27. The handles H are then rotated reversely through 180 to cause the cams 46 to bear against the walls 44a of the plates 44 and move the locking ring sectors 28 radially from the position shown in FIGURES 10 and 1l to the position shown in FIGURE 9 received within the aligned grooves 26 and 27. Thence the compressor 17 can be started to provide the chamber H with the desired gases at the desired pressure and the centrifuging cycle can thence be repeated.

It should be apparent that a closure construction of simple and reliable design which is suitable not only for centrifuges but for other vessels has been perfected and constitutes a substantial improvement over prior art constructions.

It is to be understood that the foregoing descriptive material is to be regarded as illustrative of one form of the invention, rather than limiting, and various equivalent elements may be employed within the scope of the appended claims.

I claim:

1. A closure for a vessel having an opening therein comprising: a door frame portion for said vessel opening; a door for said door frame hinged at one side of said vessel to swing to and from closed position; mating axial projections and recesses formed on said door frame portion and door around the perimeters thereof to move into meshed relation in a radial plane when the door is swung to closed position; said projections and recesses around the frame portion and door housing having substantially parallel intermeshing walls extending substantially perpendicularly to the axis of hinge of the door so that the clearances between the projections and recesses are unaffected by the arc of swing of the door; and means for holding said door in closed position.

2. A centrifugal housing with an open end; said housing having an annular, door frame portion at said open end; radially extending lug members projecting into the interior of said housing and fixed thereon; an annular seal mounted for axial movement by said lug members; said seal comprising a metallic ring with an axially tapering, diametrally decreasing peripheral surface portion leading to its outer edge and forming a continuation of said housing, and axially inner and outer radial edge surfaces; a closure door for said opening vertically hinged to said housing at one side thereof axially inward of said open end and having an axially tapering, interior surface complementarily shaped to engage with the axially tapering surface of said seal; means for pressurizing the interior of the housing; alternating axial projections and recesses having horizontal upper and lower surfaces formed on said door frame portion radially outward of said ring and intermediate said axially inner and outer edge surfaces; mating, alternating projections and recesses on said door having horizontal upper and lower surfaces and moving into interengaged relationship with said projections and recesses on the door frame portion when the door is swung to closed position; said interengaging door frame portion and door projections have radially aligned grooves forming a continuous peripheral groove when the door is in closed position; shear bar sectors arranged for radial reciprocation to positions within and spanning adjacent grooves, and removed radially outwardly therefrom; cam housings carrying said sectors; cams Within said cam housings; shafts projecting eccentrically from said cams and journaled by said door; means for rotating said shafts to cause said cams to move said cam housings and sectors radially inwardly and outwardly; and spaced apart `O-rings carried by the seal for sealing the axially inner and outer radial edge surfaces of the ring and thereby said interengaging projections; said axially inner radial edge surface being of greater area than said axially outer radial edge surface so that the pressure condition within said housing acts to maintain sealed engagement of said tapering surfaces.

3. The combination defined in claim 1 in which the axis of hinge of the door is vertical and the said intermeshing walls around the perimeter of the door frame portion and door comprise horizontal upper and lower surfaces.

4. A vessel housing with an open end; said housing having an annular, door frame portion at said open end; a closure door for said opening; alternating axial projections and recesses formed on said door frame portion; mating, alternating projections and recesses on said door moving into meshed relationship with said projections and recesses on the door frame portion when the door is moved to closed position; said intermeshed door frame portion and door projections having radially aligned grooves forming a continuous peripheral groove when the door is in closed position; shear bar sectors arranged for radial reciprocation to positions within and spanning adjacent grooves, and removed radially outwardly therefrom; cam housings carrying said sectors; cams within said cam housings; shafts projecting eccentrically from said cams; and means for rotating said shafts to cause said cams to move said cam housings and sectors radially inwardly and outwardly.

5. A centrifugal housing with an open end; said housing having an annular, door frame portion at said open end; a closure door for said opening vertically hinged to said housing at one side thereof axially inward of said open end; alternating axial projections and recesses having horizontal upper and lower surfaces formed on said door frame portion around the periphery thereof; mating, alternating projections and recesses on said door around the periphery thereof having horizontal upper and lower surfaces and moving into interengaged relationship with said projections and recesses on the door frame portion when the door is swung to closed position; said interengaging door frame portion and door projections having radially aligned grooves forming a continuous peripheral groove when the door is in closed position; shear bar sectors arranged for radial reciprocation to positions within and spanning adjacent grooves, and removed radially outwardly therefrom; and means for moving said shear bar sectors radially.

References Cited in the le of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,882,616 Hutchinson Oct. 11, 1932 FOREIGN PATENTS 490,788 Germany Feb. 10, 1930 

1. A CLOSURE FOR A VESSEL HAVING AN OPENING THEREIN COMPRISING: A DOOR FRAME PORTION FOR SAID VESSEL OPENING; A DOOR FOR SAID DOOR FRAME HINGED AT ONE SIDE OF SAID VESSEL TO SWING TO AND FROM CLOSED POSITION; MATING AXIAL PROJECTIONS AND RECESSES FORMED ON SAID DOOR FRAME PORTION AND DOOR AROUND THE PERIMETERS THEREOF TO MOVE INTO MESHED RELATION IN A RADIAL PLANE WHEN THE DOOR IS SWUNG TO CLOSED POSITION; SAID PROJECTIONS AND RECESSES AROUND THE FRAME PORTION AND DOOR HOUSING HAVING SUBSTANTIALLY PARALLEL INTERMESHING WALLS EXTENDING SUBSTANTIALLY PER- 